Federal authorities have charged four individuals in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation that allegedly spanned from February 2023 to August 2024 in northern Ohio. The indictment, unsealed on December 9, accuses the defendants of participating in an international drug conspiracy.
According to federal prosecutors, Calvin Locke, also known as Uncle or Tio, age 53, is accused of selling narcotics to various redistributors throughout northern Ohio. Authorities allege Locke used a business entity called Locke and Goldstein to launder proceeds from the sales. Josue Melendez, known as Jay or Bananas, age 35, is alleged to have arranged multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine from Sonora, Mexico. Carlos Escareno, also known as J and age 30, reportedly served as courier for transporting pound quantities of drugs from Arizona to Ohio. A fourth defendant, Shamese Maddox, age 37, is accused of supplying Locke with fentanyl.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Division.
Locke faces charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl; attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and money laundering. Melendez and Escareno are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Maddox faces charges related to conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl.
“If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum,” according to prosecutors.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division along with members of a specialized task force focused on cartel activity, gangs, narcotics trafficking and money laundering. Agencies involved include local police departments from Cleveland, North Royalton and Brooklyn (Ohio), Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ottawa County Prosecutors Office, Ohio Bureau of Crime Investigations (BCI), Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police and IRS-Criminal Investigations. The U.S. Marshals Service provided additional support.
Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Crook is prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
Prosecutors noted: “An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
